Drivers delayed on M6 and M54 routes
Drivers faced delays on the M6 and M54 today – as it was announced that motorway lane closures and diversions will be brought in while bridge maintenance works are carried out this month.
Two cars crashed just before 7.20am between junction three for Albrighton and junction two for Wolverhampton today.
The eastbound lane was blocked as the Highway's Agency and Central Motorways Policing Group cleared debris from the road.
Traffic remained slow around the accident for more than 30 minutes afterwards.
Meanwhile drivers faced delays of around 20 minutes at around 7.30am due to a broken-down lorry on the southbound carriageway of the M6 between junction 13, at Stafford South and junction 12, Gailey, causing tailbacks from junction 14.
Congestion on the motorways today comes as highways bosses announced possible delays due to joints being replaced on the Pleck Loop Bridge as part of a series of roadworks across Walsall.
It will see overnight lane closures on the southbound motorway carriageway between junctions 10 at Walsall and nine at Wednesbury.
There will be a closure of the junction 10 southbound entry slip road on March 11 and 12 and a full closure of lanes on March 13.
They will be in place from 10pm and 6am each night.
Highways Agency project manager Colin Jackson said: "This vital work will prolong the life of the bridge, maintaining safety and reducing the need for unplanned maintenance closures in the future.
"To carry it out safely and efficiently we need to close the carriageway. We advise those road users affected to plan ahead and to allow extra time for their journeys."
During the closure of the junction 10 southbound entry slip road, traffic will be diverted onto the northbound carriageway to junction 10a for the M54, where it will return on the eastbound carriageway to join the M6 southbound.
Where the M6 is closed, traffic will leave the motorway at junction 10 and take the A454 and the Bloxwich Road to rejoin the M6 at junction seven at Great Barr.
It comes as a number of road projects are being carried out around the borough over the coming weeks.
These include a five-week highways maintenance scheme which has been launched in Green Lane, Pelsall.
The road is being closed between the junctions of Highfield Road and Norton Road between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Contractors say the closure is for safety reasons.
During work, drivers face a signed diversion route along Highfield Road, Wolverhampton Road and Norton Road.
